Trinity Catholic's Shaquan Howsie carries the ball during Saturday's game against New Canaan at Trinity Catholic High School on September 22, 2012. (Lindsay Niegelberg)
In case you don’t know, we’re halfway through the season.
Crazy, right? Just five weeks ago we were wondering if Xaver and Hand could go into their Oct. 12 clash undefeated (they did). We were wondering how good Staples would be (awesone). We were wondering if losing Liam O’Neil for four weeks would hurt Greenwich (it didn’t). We were wondering if Shelton would be a dark horse in the SCC (they aren’t), if Masuk would be Masuk (they are), if Ansonia would be Ansonia (they are, but for different reasons), if St. Joseph was going to be this year’s ‘Norwalk’ in the FCIAC (they are, although lots of contenders in that arena).
We were wondering where we’d be in five weeks.
The answer to that last question is: In a very different place than we might have thought.
But now it’s time to take stock of where we were and how far we’ve come.
It’s time to test your knowledge of the 2012 southwest Connecticut high school football season to date.
It’s time for the High School Football Midseason Quiz!
The Professor is in the House.
Get your (um, virtual) No. 2 pencils ready. Eyes on your own work.
Yes. There are right and wrong answers. Yes. You will be graded (as a class). Yes, there will be a curve (whew!)
Polls will close at 6 p.m. Saturday. My answers will be unveiled Sunday.
If you have suggestions for anybody we might have missed, comment below. However: We won’t sit here and make a hundred revisions, so please be reasonable about it.
Let’s go!
Where is Calvin Daniels in the best receiver section?
He is a great player and an even better young man!!!
what about Trevor Kollmann from Masuk for unsung hero? 400 yards recieving and 5 tds in the shadow of Milone? hasnt been mentioned once this year but unsung hero could be a good fit for him
Kollman. Yes indeed. Good one, adding
The Shelton T/E #84 (Kyle Drost) should be considered in the receiver poll.
Fully agree on Cal Daniels.
No luv for the hogs?
For… What? Surprise team? C’mon now. I had ‘em pegged! No surprises here.
@DaveK – from you, I’ll accept
How about John Dellisanti (Prep) for best receiver? Has longest catch in SCC
The mistake-plagued battle of the unvictorious, New Milford vs. Bethel, a top regional game? I’m sorry, but no. Bethel’s Piatnik, however, was nearly heroic in the win.
@Will – Ehhh… Stats dont support ‘best’. Q
@BHSFan well excuuuuse us
I meant hogs as in offensive lineman. Pretty funny.
@Tony – Haha. Well played then.
I can only guess at OLs. I mean, I can pick a few I like, but it’s tough to do the category justice.
Fun year in SWC…despite Masuk dominating..good to see Weston and Barlow getting some recognition again..Pacheco from NF is a real nice addition to the league. Weird looking at that QB list and not seeing Castelot or Shanahan listed. Statistically both were at top of SWC last year with Cochran, neither having a good year at all so far, and their respective teams are not very good either. B. Brown not at helm in Brookfield was a surprise, but Westmark has done very well. Best QB in SWC at this point has to be Hassett, he is doing it without receivers like Milone or Dunn/Hebert..Lato has done a great job coaching, thought they might be down with Rogers boys leaving..quite the opposite. looking forward to great 2nd half.
Looking over the Quiz responses. Hooboy. I should have done the math. 80 kids on Fairfield Prep roster x (2 parents + 2.2 siblings + 4 grandparents …)
SWC Observer: absolutely. I read that QB list and scratched my head. Had to remind myself I made it.
Come on Sean! It like we are having a block party, and only certain neighbors are invited. The State is small enough, just throw out the region BS, and include everyone. Love Bubba!
I think the hogs have the best QB and the best WR. In my opinion, Pelletier is the best WR. Also, Ervin Philips is the best back in the state. Faces the best defences in the state with only about 9 carries a game and still puts up 150 yards a game. Also, Eddie Williams for unsung hero. FB/LB has had almost as much TDs as Erv. Just my opinion
Qb combination at nc? And all their receivers? They’ve played 3 games with 8+ guys with catches and 3 or 4 running the ball…. I know it’s an individual award post here but that’s impressive… Especially in high school.
Hahaha. Classic.
Hey! I covered your stupid game didn’t I???? :)
@Teya — Indeed… Tough call. But you won’t see them sharing an all-state award, will ya?
Besides: Sometimes then collective is greater than the individual.
Eh… Too Marxist.
How ’bout paraphrasing Trek:
“The needs of the many outweighs the needs of the few (or the one.)”
There ya go.
You did, and you love it, and so did I. No mention of Walsh, he is one of the best players in the state.
DelliSanti should absolutely be added to the list for best receiver; longest catch, leading team in catches by far…
WOW. surprised at the shortage of votes for Defensive linemen Austin Gomar. Incredibly quick get-off, believe he is in the top 3 for sacks? he was #1 at one point – may still be. I understand that the LBs get most defensive credit!
What about lineman…
@SWC LIFE – That Gomar doesn’t have more votes is a damn tragedy, relatively speaking. Where are my Weston voters?
@Harry D – No slight. I love the big guys. But it’s too tough to do. What should I do? … Best team offensive line? Hmmm…. lemme get back to you.
Brian Wiegand of Darien is having a fantastic year and is one of the few bright spots on that defense. He has 4 picks with probably 4 dropped and 16 PDs. If he had better hands, he could easily be one of the best CBs in the state.
@wave – you’re right about Weigand. I think my original intent was not to have repeat teams, so I chose D’Andrea…
Where is Moscova from SJ on the best receiver list? Same number of yards as Pelletier with 5 fewer catches. Please watch Staples game tape.
(sigh)
Best tailback in this area is Ryan Pearson from Trumbull. If he played for Staples or SJ, he would get a lot more press. He is a great football player.
Trumbull back is very good saw him in scrimmages thought I would hear more of him.
Newtowns hebert not in there for mvp or best receiver???
@ctfan – Hebert will be the first tell you his first couple games weren’t great, offensively. He’s picked it up since.
I’ve added a few suggestions. But that’s it. No more!
#7 Corey Chaffe has played well in victory and defeat for danbury,i think he has 6 total tds (3 receiving and 2 punt return) on a very young team.
@ruler You definitely attend DHS with the fuzzy math you just posted 3+2=6 #noivyleaguer
Even when Hebert doesnt make the head line or the stat sheet he has a huge impact on a game.
@sawthat – Of course. We have him as a defensive selection. …Easy, fellas. We’re big Hebert fans here.
The MVP has to be Shaq Howsie…Tears his ACL last year, comes back and Trinity is 5-0. One of the top RBs in the league. Also the “Most Valuable” to his team. He is the leader on and off the field.
I think Sean did a good job covering the the stand out players in our part of the state. Walsh is a great player but he’s on Hand and part of the SCC. Sean only covers our Elite Eight teams and opponents, not the valley’s SCC or upstate CCC. Great Blog Sean, look forward to it weekly.
I’m no expert on the SWC, but from what I have seen and been told, Hebert should be on for best receiver. With the kinds of blowout games they’ve had, I’m sure the coach puts in other kids to get field time. So the actual stats don’t tell that story at ALL. Hebert is a game changer no matter how you slice it. Besides, it appears to me that the voting is just a contest of whose parent/friend is sending the most emails out telling people to vote.
@FCIACFan – Game changer, no doubt. But — again — he didn’t do much until Week 3. Coaches would agree and have said so.
Easy, kids. We’re big Hebert fans here at football central.
@SMASHMOUTH – THEY’RE JUST JEALOUS OF OUR COVERAGE.
Move Madison to Fairfield County. We can squeeze it in between Westport and Fairfield. :)
Even coaches have agendas
Yesterday it was Fairfield Prep. Today, Newtown has taken over.
I think a case needs to be made to have Nick Kelly on here. Either at WR or RB? He doesn’t really fall into a “category” since he is so versatile but he needs to be on any list that is talking about the best players in the State.
Sean, check out Sam Gravitte’s stats.he does it all.
@Lewis – True. Here’s Staples problem, and it’s nice one: So many standouts, only one ball. No one really ‘stands out’ at the moment.
But, yea, he should have been in somewhere…
Yeaaaa, Gravitte is like Kelly, Matos and Milone category.
Maybe should have put him in MVP cat.
He was on my mind, just didn’t slot him in. We’re not perfect here.
Hey…what happened to Tight End Joe Kelly from Greenwich?
Argh.
@SPB – always good to debate and I few misses and a few that are clearly stacked voting for whoever is named. I wonder if it tells you something about the makeup of the team when you don’t have a single leader in votes from Staples while you have a running back leading the votes who isn’s even the best running back on his own team – I think adding Gravitte is fear as the game I went to he the kicker – punts and KOs, returned kicks, and ran and caught a TD – thanks for the place to voice an opinion.
OK, OK. I’m adding the these guys. Votes won’t reflect it, but they’re there.
Get the word out.
Hey SPB…You’re getting roughed up on this one…Hang in there, you’re doing a great job and service to all us CT high school football junkies…
Thanks SPB!!! Cards have many weapons besides Olmstead…
@Polar – I know. I’ve seen them. McMurray and Melo are in there.
@GHS – Everybody wants their kid mentioned. Note to self: 5 options and that’s it next year
At SPB #59…Not sure what you’re saying…My oldest grandson is gone from GHS and a junior in college now…Next one up is 12 years old and is in youth football at the moment…Must have me mixed up with someone else, no problem…However, I do remember Alex McMurray’s Uncle Mickey, who as I recall, played Fullback for GHS, unless it’s a different McMurray, and I doubt it…If they all grew up in Wilbur Peck Court, then it’s all the same Clan…Tough kids
@Sean Patrick Bowley
“Everybody wants their kid mentioned.”
You hit the nail on the head with that comment. Your job isn’t easy and you do it well! Thanks.
Hi Sean – The vote button is not available for “Who has been the region’s best receiver?” section. It works for all the other sections. Thanks
@FCIAC fan #61…Can you read?..Or are you just taking your stupid pills today?…I’m talking grandkids, the youngest one is a better swimmer than football player…His Mom, my daughter, makes him play football to try and lose some weight..I tell him that swimming is a harder row to hoe than football workouts, but whatever…He won’t listen to me, he’s only my grandson..
Typical Greenwich people. Everybody wants their kid to be the best. It’s just a poll, relax. It takes 11 people to get to a Championship. Greenwich has a habit of favoring one back. There is still a lot more talented players there. Who cares about the poll it’s about winning.
thanks for having my back hasbeen…i guess none of you get it..I don’t have a horse in this race other than Greenwich High…I only have 2 daughters…I was a father at 18 & a grandfather at 36 years old…the girls don’t play football…the oldest boy is 21 (did play same number (40) as olmstead) and is in college…the next boy is 12 and in youth football league, there is a girl in between, and another boy who just turned 3 years old…How old are your grand kids?..I’m rooting for GHS, and the McMurray kid…
how many wins does milone add to masuk’s total? 5? 6? or none?
@GHS1973 Did you have a son who played fullback a handfull of years back??
@GHSDAD2012….No, but thanks for asking..
God, in his infinite wisdom, never gave me a son to fruition..I might just have really flipped then…Big boys are a coming, though…Just a matter of time before the bigs in my family tree make their way into the genetic pool..
Hey ghs73 Greenwich is a lot more than just mc Murray. There are kids there that are and will be unsung heroes . Some people get all the press others just keep on trucking. Thanksgiving should be a good game.
@GHS1973 #63 I have absoultely no idea why you’re addressing me or what you are talking about. Grandkids, stupid pills, swim team, youth football, you either have the wrong #comment or you’ve been ingesting those pills.
@SPB – great job again appreciate what you are trying to do – lots of teams and plenty of people that could be mentioned. Look forward to the 2nd half and then we will see who stays on the thread all the way through to the end. Lots of great stories this year – fun year to be a fan. Thank again.
@SPB good job, as always you are well informed and the coaches, fans, parents and players appreciate it….
Newtown is the team to beat in the SWC; Masuk only has Thomas Milone, Frank Bacarella is the most overrated player in #cthsfb hebert for MVP
@overratedpanthers masuk is by far the best team in the SWC… Dan hebert is the farthest thing from a playmaker…
#73…having seen Newtown and Masuk up close, Newtown is in trouble. Furthermore, your post is a cheap shot, picking on a kid while hiding behind a keyboard. Comments attacking/criticizing players should not be permitted on this blog, 16-17 yr olds playing a game, they dont get paid….
@overratedpanthers Barlow is the team to beat in the swc!! masuk, newtown need to show me they can stop the triple option!
The best thing about this is Barlow & Masuk will play and Newtown & Masuk will play…Hebert “farthest thing from a playmaker”, you must not get out much!
When are the winners gonna be announced?
@SWC Fan – Soon… I hope. Been kinda swamped. Shocker.
Who are the winners?
We’re all winners.
No time to go back and do it. Swamped.
Let the winners be the All-Area selections.
When are you going to announce the winner!? Its been foreve!
@SWC Fan – We had to scrap it. Winners are the poll winners